According to reports in The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they will have to pay at least £50m if they want to sign in-demand Leicester City defender Harry Maguire this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Sun says that Spurs – along with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United – are all interested in prising the highly-rated 6ft 4in centre-back away from the Foxes at the end of the season, but the east Midlands outfit aren’t willing to sell him on the cheap.
The 25-year-old has established himself as a first-choice starter in the backline for Claude Puel’s side and has also broken into the England team, and is considered to be one of the best in his position in the top flight.
The report adds that Tottenham manager sees the former Hull City man as a potential replacement for Toby Alderweireld, who is increasingly looking like he will be on his way out this summer.
How good has Maguire been this season?
He has been brilliant.
Leicester only signed him in a £17m deal last summer but he has already shown just how good he is with his displays this term.
As well scoring two goals and providing a further three assists in 33 Premier League appearances, he has shown just how influential he can be from a defensive point of view.
According to WhoScored.com, he has won 51 tackles in those top flight outings this term, while he has also made 37 interceptions, 154 clearances and 33 blocks.
Maguire is also comfortable in possession and loves to bring the ball out from the back, successfully completing 45 of the 53 dribbles he has attempted.
Would he be a good signing for Tottenham?
He certainly could be, yes.
The 25-year-old has shown that he is committed, has leadership qualities and is brilliant both defensively and at bringing the ball out from the back – something that would mean that he would fit into Tottenham’s style of play.
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It isn’t going to be easy to replace a player of Alderweireld’s quality if the Belgian does leave this summer, but Maguire can go some way to doing exactly that.
Would they pay £50m for him?
This could be the sticking point.
While Tottenham will want to improve their squad they know they will have to pay a premium for Maguire because he is English, and they may choose to look elsewhere instead given they already have Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez in their ranks.
Jose Mourinho has made a concerted effort to reference Manchester United’s Premier League position in relation to that of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur since the critics rounded on him and his team for the nature of their Champions League exit.
That abject 2-1 last-16 defeat at the hands of Sevilla saw his pragmatic tactics called into question yet again and Mourinho was clearly stung by the criticism of his stodgy Old Trafford side.
Specifically, how United’s approach is in such stark contrast to the methods employed by Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, both operating on a substantially lower budget than Mourinho has at his disposal, to boot.
Mourinho will always reach for the cold hard facts; the league table and silverware, in order to preserve his own reputation.
But, given the often joyless slog it has been during both his campaigns at United, given the style of football at times and given the way United’s progress has often been punctured by poor results against lesser teams, it is surely fair to ask for a better blend of style and substance.
It was argued that United enjoyed a 2016/17 better season than Tottenham, on the basis that having the League Cup and Europa League to show for their efforts is more important than Spurs’ continued improvement of players, genuine title challenge and exciting style of play.
There is clearly merit in that but Mourinho’s bludgeoning style of hoovering up trophies comes with a lingering sense of emptyness. United want trophies – silverware has always been the currency at Old Trafford – but a more modern, proactive approach to getting them would sate the fans who long to get excited about watching their side again.
In the prolonged absence of the sense that the club is motoring in the right direction and building something – which is what Liverpool definitely have and Tottenham largely possess also – Mourinho will continue to feel like yesterday’s man forced to justify his record in the media.
He has to tell fans that United are moving in the right direction because it doesn’t always feel that way.
Which brings us onto Mourinho’s adversary this weekend, Arsene Wenger. Arsenal went nine years without a trophy between 2005 and 2014 and Gunners fans craved silverware.
The consensus was that as soon as Wenger rediscovered how to stock the Arsenal trophy cabinet again, the fans would get off his back; but that proved not to be the case as the voices of dissent became ever louder before eventually forcing him out of the Emirates.
The constant sense of stagnation, the continued unwillingness to address weaknesses and watching on as other rivals raced by all became too much for the Gunners fanbase to bear.
Wenger has won three of the last four FA Cups – at least two of which saved his job – but he grew to realise that this was no longer enough. Arsenal fans wanted to feel like they were moving forward and it became increasingly clear that was never going to happen under the Frenchman.
That’s why they forced him out. On the face of it, his record of consistent Champions League qualification (until this term) and finishing the season with a trophy represents success in the modern era, but the feeling around the club was often toxic due to the same old failings and the refusal to change.
All of this isn’t to devalue trophies; they remain the ultimate measure of a team or a player’s success. But fans want to feel a part of something more in the modern era.
Ending the season with a day out and a trophy is sometimes not enough to make up for months of substandard quality on the pitch, especially when clubs are charging extortionate prices for the privilege of watching it.
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Fans want to see progress at their club that stretches beyond the trophy cabinet.
Arsenal have not been that team under Wenger for many a year. For now, United fans will tolerate the functional football that has secured two trophies and a chance to win another but Mourinho needs more to deliver what their fans truly demand; style mixed with substance and a degree of excitement and unpredictability.
Liverpool’s unexpected crusade to – surely – the final of the Champions League is all the more enjoyable because of its thrilling, high-tempo nature. There is a feeling in the air at Anfield which, in the eyes of a fan, is more joyful and special to be a part of than holding a three-point gap over third with a game in hand could ever be.
Wenger exits the Emirates as yesterday’s man who clung on too long, who was unable to adapt. Unless Mourinho modernises, he faces the same fate eventually.
A Newcastle United scout was reportedly in attendance for the Europa League semi-final second leg tie between Red Bull Salzburg and Marseille in Austria on Thursday night, and Magpies fans are confident that the person was there to watch the hosts’ Valon Berisha.
The Tyneside outfit have already been linked with the midfielder in 2018, and he impressed against the Ligue 1 outfit as his team were just minutes away from a penalty shoot-out and the chance to face Atletico Madrid in the final.
The 25-year-old played on the left-hand side of a midfield three – although he has also played in the centre on occasions – against Marseille, but he failed to add to his 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season.
Newcastle supporters were quick to have their say on who their scout was watching via social media, and while one said “Valon Berisha I’d assume”, another said “could be for Berisha”.
Arsenal are prepared to pay a £57m release clause to sign Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, according to Corriere dello Mezzogiorno.
What’s the word?
Despite the fact that the Gunners are yet to appoint a replacement for outgoing manager Arsene Wenger, transfer plans are being formed.
A report in Corriere dello Mezzogiorno claims that the North London outfit are big admirers of Zielinski and are willing to activate a £57m release clause in the midfielder’s contract.
The Poland international is only 20 years of age, but he has been impressing on the main stage in Italy this season.
In total, the midfielder has featured 43 times in all competitions, including 12 starts in Serie A.
Would Zielinski be a good fit?
At 20 years of age, there is always a risk when throwing an inexperienced Premier League player into the deep end.
However, Zielinski has proven that he can cope with the pressure of playing for a big club.
The midfielder predominantly plays in the centre of the park, but can also perform on the right or left side of attack.
Santi Cazorla has been missed during his lengthy injury absence, and even though the fans are delighted to see him return to the training field, his long-term future remains uncertain.
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Zielinski has the attributes to fit into the current Arsenal side, but a lot will depend on what direction the new manager will want to take.
Celtic’s unprecedented double treble tells all about the incredible disparity in Scottish football right now, and an aggregate scoreline of 14-2 in this season’s Old Firm derbies equally tells all about how one-sided the rivalry that props up Scottish football has become. We all know the reasons why, but it’s clear only a masterstroke can get Rangers back to a competitive level with their Glasgow nemesis in prompt enough fashion to prevent that chasm of quality becoming even wider.
It’s come, in theory at least, in the form of Steven Gerrard being named the new chief of the Rangers dugout. And yet, it’s an appointment that comes with as many pros as cons, as many solutions as potential problems.
On the one hand, the former England captain brings his incredible reputation, gravitas and connections to the role, and after his synonymy with Liverpool he will understand how to tap into the powers of an exceptionally fierce, exceptionally militant following. On the other, his managerial experience at senior level is precisely zero, as his experience of Scottish football as a player or a manager. One might even make comparison with another Liverpool legend in John Barnes, who survived just a matter of months at Celtic.
In the context of Scottish football’s current climate and the Old Firm rivalry though, it could indeed prove to be the right decision. Gerrard clearly has lots to learn about his new club, his new squad and the idiosyncrasies of the league they play in; but if there’s one thing he knows already, it’s the idiosyncrasies of Brendan Rodgers – the man who has overseen the unprecedented success at Celtic Park.
Gerrard clearly has a deep, personal respect for Rodgers. Back in 2015, when the Northern Irishman was beginning to feel the heat from disillusioned Liverpool fans, Gerrard told reporters that he wished he met Rodgers when he was 24, believing they would have won a wealth of trophies together. The significance of that age should not be overlooked either; when Gerrard was 24 he lifted the Champions League title, so to suggest he would have enjoyed even greater success under Rodgers’ guidance is quite the statement.
The Liverpool legend will need to put that admiration to one side to overcome the gap between Rangers and Celtic, but in some ways it can be a fantastic asset too. He probably has a greater knowledge of Rodgers’ philosophy and tactics than any Rangers scout ever could through first-hand experience. He knows when a Rodgers side is at its strongest and must be contained at all costs, just as he knows when a Rodgers side is at its most vulnerable and must be capitalised on. That’s not in terms of confidence and mentality, rather formations, movements and patterns of play.
The importance of such knowledge shouldn’t be downplayed. Aberdeen and Hibernian particularly have made the Scottish title race about so much more than simply coming out on top in the Old Firm derbies, but the table speaks for itself; there was a 12-point gap between Celtic and Rangers this season, a difference that can be made up in the Glasgow clashes alone. That might seem incredibly unlikely considering how one-sided they’ve been this season, but Gerrard’s understanding of Rodgers – both as a man and as a manager – has the potential to turn the tide.
That’s not to say the SPFL is just a two-club league, and that’s not to suggest this current Rangers squad will lift the title next season if they come out on top in the Old Firm derbies. Celtic still boast far greater consistency against the rest of the league through their superior quality and depth, and Gerrard will inevitably make some mistakes during his first season as a manager to cost Rangers points. 2018/19 is most likely a campaign too soon.
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But if there’s one minimum requirement for Rangers next season, it’s to make those Old Firm games much closer and much more competitive than they have been. While Gerrard is no doubt a risky appointment, his association with Rodgers gives Rangers a new, unique edge for those games, and proving equal to their bitter rivals four games a season is a solid starting point that can change the psyche at the top of Scottish football. From there, anything is possible for the Ibrox outfit.
Swansea City are going to find it very difficult to keep hold of Lukasz Fabianski this summer following their relegation to the Championship.
The 33-year-old was named Supporters’ Player of the Year following a string of impressive performances during the 2017-18 campaign.
However, Fabianski, who has just 12 months remaining on his contract at Swansea, could not prevent the Welsh club from being relegated from the Premier League.
Fabianski is undoubtedly one of the best shot-stoppers in the top flight of English football, and there will be a number of clubs taking a look at him this summer.
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Liverpool are believed to be in the market for a new goalkeeper despite Loris Karius spending the second half of the 2017-18 campaign as Jurgen Klopp’s number one.
AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked with a move to Anfield, but the Liverpool fans have offered up a cheaper alternative.
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Indeed, Fabianski has been mentioned as a possible arrival at the Merseyside club.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
As reported by The Star, Everton are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on a free transfer this summer.
What’s the story?
Wilshere still hasn’t signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium despite offers and with his contract set to expire at the end of the month, he is one of the hottest properties in this summer’s transfer window.
The Star report that Everton are one of the teams interested in his services, rivalling the likes of Newcastle and West Ham United for his signature.
The paper say that the player is set for talks with Unai Emery but is still unhappy with the terms offered on his potential new contract at the club.
The player has previously been reported to earn £110,000-a-week at the Gunners.
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A good signing?
There may be question marks around Wilshere to compete at the level Arsenal are looking for in the future, but he has more than enough quality to make an impact at the London Stadium.
Coming into his prime years as a player, the midfielder appears to have put most of injury issues behind him, making 38 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions in 2017/18.
He needs a manager who puts belief and purpose into his game and being given new midfield responsibility at Everton under Marco Silva could be the making of him.
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The Toffees themselves are looking for attacking midfield improvement after difficult seasons for Wayne Rooney and Tom Davies and Wilshere has both the ability and experience to improve Everton.
The transfer of Theo Walcott demonstrated that squad players at the top six sides can give the Goodison Park outfit a big boost and Wilshere would likely be no different.
Leroy Sane was one of Pep Guardiola’s star performers in the Manchester City team last season.
The attacker, who scored 14 goals and registered 17 assists in all competitions, was thought to be a shoe-in for the World Cup, but it was not meant to be.
Joachim Low opted against including Sane in the 23-man squad that will travel to Russia for the tournament, which gets underway on June 14.
At the age of just 22, the attacker has become regular feature in City’s team, but he is yet to earn the same status on the international stage.
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In fact, Sane, who joined the Cityzens from Schalke in 2016, has earned 11 senior caps for his country.
Given the talent that runs through the reigning world champions, it was always going to be a difficult job for Low to whittle down his squad.
Understandably, plenty of City fans have been left disappointed by the snub, while others are thankful that Sane will get a much-deserved rest to be fit and firing for the new season in August.
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According to Turkish newspaper Aksam, Newcastle United have activated an £8.8m release clause in the contract of Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup.
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The 25-year-old, who has previously been linked with a return to Arsenal, contributed eight assists in 37 appearances for his Turkish club last season.
Ozyakup recently signed a new contract with Besiktas, but it is understood that the deal has an £8.8m release clause, which Newcastle have decided to activate.
Magpies boss Rafael Benitez is said to be keen to tie up a deal before the end of the month, with a number of other clubs closely monitoring developments.
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The 35-time Turkey international started his professional career at Arsenal, but only made two first-team appearances for the Gunners before making the move to Besiktas in 2012.
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The midfielder has gone from strength to strength at his Turkish club over the last few years, and could well turn out to be a star in the Premier League.
The Newcastle fans have been airing their views on the speculation on social media, and a selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
England’s World Cup campaign continues on Thursday night with their final Group G clash against a Belgium side currently third in the FIFA rankings.
The Three Lions have already qualified for the first knockout round but the meeting with the Red Devils will give the most significant indicator yet of where Gareth Southgate’s side are really at – will this be the World Cup where England finally produce consistently scintillating football, unshackled by the weight of history, or are they merely flat-track bullies having dispensed of Tunisia and Panama with relative ease?
Football FanCast aren’t privy to a crystal ball. But our England experts, Sam Preston and editor-in-chief James Jones, have shared their thoughts and predictions ahead of Thursday’s 7pm kickoff…
This match can essentially be reduced to a risk assessment for Southgate, that assessment being whether the need for momentum and the other benefits of another positive result outweigh the potential jeopardy of a key player like Harry Kane suffering a serous injury in a game that may not even decide who finishes top of the group – with the two nations currently separated by disciplinary record alone, England and Belgium could end up drawing lots for pole position.
Add to the equation the fact finishing second would actually give England a much clearer route to the final, and Southgate is left with some crucial decisions to make.
Would you stick with England’s strongest XI or rest some key individuals?
James:“Southgate has to go with his strongest XI to make a statement that England are serious about this tournament. The importance of taking momentum into the knock-outs should not be underestimated. Of course, there will be worries about key players like Kane potentially picking up an injury, but the same can be said of the previous two games. Barring Dele Alli we came through those unscathed despite coming up against a Panama side who clearly preferred wrestling to football. As soon as you start ‘resting’ players for other games your focus switches slightly from the task at hand – that task is to beat Belgium and win the group.”
Soccer Football – World Cup – Group G – Tunisia vs England – Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Russia – June 18, 2018 England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates after the match REUTERS/Sergio Perez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Sam:“I think that Southgate should keep changes to a minimum as we saw in Euro 2016 what can happen when England ring the changes – they lose momentum. That said, if the likes of Kane or Lingard stay in the team and get an injury that rules them out of the rest of the tournament, Southgate will get criticised. Criticism would also come if England do not rotate, thrash Belgium ‘B’ to top the group and run into the global elite in one side of the draw while Roberto Martinez guides his side past Japan, Mexico and Croatia to make the final! So I wouldn’t blame Southgate at all if he was tempted to heavily rotate, especially after reports that Belgium will make ten outfield changes. In Gareth we trust.”
The offensive efficiency of England’s 3-1-4-2 has been one of the key stories of the tournament so far, simply because of how inventive and unusual the formation is. There’s no doubt it gets everybody on the front foot and plays to the natural strengths of the personnel involved, but it seems to have an achilles heel in facing three-man defences – the backline structure Roberto Martinez employs – and Southgate failed to find an obvious alternative during the warmup friendlies.
What do you see as England’s best Plan B?
James:“I see no reason why we can’t switch to four at the back. Perhaps go 4-3-3, as that offers a number of midfield combinations that could help break down a three-man defence.”
Sam:“The first port of call should be a minor tweak, dropping another midfielder in next to Jordan Henderson in something of a 3-2-3-2 that may morph into 3-4-2-1 to completely match Belgium up. It may be tempting to reach for a back four but apparently Southgate’s men are only training in a back three, so constructing a four-man defensive line on the hoof would be unwise as the tournament wears on.”
Because their squad is so Premier League-centric, Belgium seem like far less of an unknown quantity than Tunisia and Panama. Even if the quality they boast is incomparably superior through players like Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, that familiarity between the two squads, much of whom share the same clubs, could act as something of a leveller on Thursday.
Who do you see as Belgium’s key danger men?
Sam: “Their best team – which we are unlikely to see on Thursday – has unbelievable quality on paper and against Tunisia they began to show it. In their 3-4-2-1, De Bruyne’s influence is compromised but Hazard is given great freedom to roam inside like he did for Chelsea in the 2016/17 title win. So he’s the key at full strength and the man their World Cup hopes rest upon. In a rotated lineup, Michy Batshuayi and Mousa Dembele will be looking to impress.”
James: “Belgium are a good side on paper but their biggest issue has been their struggles to gel as a team. We all know the dangers De Bruyne, Hazard and Romelu Lukaku pose but we shouldn’t ignore Dries Mertens, who has a goal and assist from Belgium’s opening two games.”
Where will this game be lost and won?
Sam: “Team selection on both sides will dictate whether this is the Premier League-tempo battle for first that many expected pre-tournament or a France v Denmark-style stroll as both sides attempt to protect their players if second place in the group proves theoretically more desirable. That makes it tough to pick a key battle but club teammates Eric Dier and the aforementioned Dembele might enjoy a physical slog as they both look to force their way into their respective managers’ knockout plans.”
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James: “It’ll go down to which team wants it more, I imagine. By all accounts, Martinez intends to rest a number of players for this, which gives England a distinct advantage from the start. That said, will England’s players be too relaxed knowing they’ve already qualified, or will they be hungry to build on that performance against Panama?”
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And finally chaps, let’s hear your score predictions…
James: “This is obviously a very exciting time for England and for that reason I think we’re going to continue our run of form and get all three points. 2-0 victory, Kane with one and Jamie Vardy with the other.”
Sam: “I can see this one being an exceptionally drab affair because Belgium won’t come to the party. 0-0, which would mean that who tops the group is decided based on fair play. I’ve got no problem with our fringe players accepting some bookings if that means Japan and not Colombia in the next round.”
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